A Tale of Two Kings: How Solomon’s Rule Typified Jesus Christ’s Rule

When you think of Solomon, what comes to mind? 

You may think of a man given wisdom and opportunity unlike any other man. But tragically, he was also a man whose many wives turned him away from God and led him to worship false gods. This tragic choice eventually led to the breakup of the kingdom of Israel. 

Yet despite this, Solomon was also a type of Jesus Christ, and his reign was a type of Christ’s millennial reign.

Solomon, a type of Jesus Christ

Solomon was shown favor from God, even as a baby. God said of him, “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son” and “My mercy shall not depart from him” (2 Samuel 7:14-15). He continued to say Solomon’s kingdom would be established forever (verse 16).

Nathan called him Jedidiah (2 Samuel 12:25), meaning “Beloved of the LORD.” 

He is famous for the “wisdom and exceedingly great understanding” God gave him, which exceeded the wisdom and understanding of any other king (1 Kings 4:29-31). The queen of Sheba traveled hundreds of miles to hear Solomon’s wisdom and was astonished by what she had heard and seen (1 Kings 10:1-9). 

However, there was another important attribute of Solomon’s reign. 

A time of peace

One aspect that especially exemplified his reign was peace. 

King David had wanted to build God’s temple, but God had not allowed it because he “shed much blood” and “made great wars.” Instead, God promised that a son would be born to him, and he would name him Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:7-9). 

Solomon means “Peaceful.” Its root word is shalom, which means peace. Solomon received his name directly from God. Solomon means “Peaceful.” Its root word is shalom, which means peace. So, verse 9 is a bit of wordplay: “His name shall be Solomon [peace], for I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.”

The word peace doesn’t just mean absence of war. 

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon includes the following meanings: completeness, soundness, safety, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, contentment, peace and friendship between people, and peace and friendship between God and mankind. 

But Solomon’s reign did not start with peace. It began with contention for the throne. 

Strife and war precedes peace

At the end of his life, David was old, weak and frail (1 Kings 1:1), and Adonijah, David’s son and Solomon’s half-brother, tried to take the throne (verses 5-7). 

The rebellion of Adonijah bears striking similarities to the end-time rebellion described in the Bible.

• Adonijah exalted himself as king, as Satan tried to exalt himself even above God’s throne (Isaiah 14:13-14).
• Adonijah was described as “very good-looking” (1 Kings 1:6). Similarly, Ezekiel described Lucifer, who became Satan, as “perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12). Paul said he comes as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), with an outward appearance that is pleasing to the eyes, but conceals a wicked heart. 
• Adonijah, along with Joab (David’s military commander) and Abiathar (the priest), led a rebellion to take the throne by force. Similarly, in the last days, Satan will empower two individuals who will operate under his authority: the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 13:1-2, 11; compare Revelation 16:13; 19:20). 

When David was at his weakest, Adonijah seized the opportunity to steal the throne. He sent men to announce that he was about to be ordained as king. Adonijah sought the approval and praise of the people rather than God’s blessing. He attempted to take the kingdom by force, driven by ambition and self-exaltation (1 Kings 1:5).

Adonijah’s rebellion ultimately failed, just as Satan’s end-time rebellion will fail.  

The rebels removed and peace established

Solomon removed Adonijah, who tried to take the throne. He removed Joab, the military commander who rebelled against him. He removed Abiathar, the unfaithful priest. 

Likewise, when Christ returns to this earth, He will imprison Satan in a bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-32) and replace this world’s rulers, religious leaders and military men. He will remove the prideful and those who will not submit to Him. 

The peace of Solomon’s reign foreshadowed this coming time, but Christ’s reign will overshadow it God’s government will take over the governments of this world. He will set up a kingdom of kings and priests who will “reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10) and take over the governments of this world (Revelation 11:15). 

After the rebels were removed, Solomon said, “The throne of David shall be established before the LORD forever” (1 Kings 2:45). The narrative provides this summary: “Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon” (verse 46). 

Notice how the Bible describes Solomon’s reign: “For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon” (1 Kings 4:24-25). 

Likewise, Christ will sit on the throne of David and rule this earth, and the Kingdom of God will truly be established in His hand (Luke 1:32; Isaiah 9:6-7).

The soon-coming rule of Jesus Christ will bring peace to the entire earth, not just Israel. He is called the “king of Salem, meaning ‘king of peace’” (Hebrews 7:2) and the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). 

Yearning for peace

The peace Israel enjoyed under King Solomon’s reign was an anomaly in Israel’s history, both ancient and modern.

The modern state of Israel was founded amid conflict and war, with the armies of surrounding Arab nations trying to destroy the fledgling nation immediately after its founding. Since then, Israel has faced nearly perpetual conflict with its neighbors. In the past year, following the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, violence has escalated further, with no end in sight.

Sadly, these wars will not bring peace but will lead only to further escalation and bloodshed. The Bible warns that in the end times armies will surround Jerusalem, and half of the city will fall into enemy hands (Luke 21:20; Zechariah 12:3; 14:2).

Despite this, we are urged to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Though Jerusalem’s history has been filled with strife and war, peace will come—but only by the returning Jesus Christ who will remove Satan and render him powerless. 

The peace of Solomon’s reign foreshadowed this coming time, but Christ’s reign will overshadow it and be much greater and more powerful. His reign will bring real, permanent peace. 

Are you praying daily for Christ to return and begin His reign?

Date Posted: September 15, 2025